However mom-to-be has made her big announcement, one thing that’s certain is that you and her inner-circle are over the moon to hear the news and eager to start planning a memorable baby shower. It’s never too early to start the planning, but the question is where do you begin? Start by exploring baby shower invitations and baby shower gifts to give to the new parents to be.
Planning a successful shower starts with staying organized and allowing yourself enough time to lay out the details. One of the first steps to planning a baby shower is to determine who will host the party. Follow the etiquette guidelines below to help you determine who should host your baby shower:
Who Hosts a Baby Shower?
Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren’t close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves. However, most baby showers are hosted by a close family member of the parents-to-be nowadays. It is also becoming more common for two people close to the honoree to co-host the shower. From selecting custom baby shower invitations to figuring out how to address baby shower invitations and organizing a day-of agenda, it can be reassuring to have a few extra helping hands around. Lastly, while the mom-to-be will be consulted during baby shower planning, she shouldn’t host her own baby shower.
The next time someone close to you announces her big news, you’ll know exactly where to start the planning and who should be in charge.
If you’re looking for more detailed planning information and guides to ensure a memorable baby-welcoming party, take a peek at our collection of baby shower articles. In the early stages of baby shower planning you may want to reference our guide to baby shower invitation wordingor tips for when to send baby shower invitations. Games are a must-have at any shower, take a peek at our baby shower games inspiration list complete with free printable games you can use at your own soirée. If you’re unsure what to gift the winners of the games, use our guide for baby shower game prizes.
Regardless of what baby shower theme you’ve selected, these baby shower tips, tricks and etiquette guidelines will help you plan a memorable shower for mom-to-be.
Additional Resources:
Baby Shower Gifts
Baby Shower Invitations
FAQs
Baby Shower Hosting Etiquette
Who is supposed to throw a baby shower? ›
Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, or co-workers of the mother-to-be hosted baby showers. Because gifts are central to showers, having a member of the honoree's (or husband's) immediate family host appeared self-serving.
Whose responsibility is it to host a baby shower? ›
Traditionally, immediate family was out of the running as well when it came to throwing a baby shower. But now, it's much more acceptable for any close friend or family member to throw a shower for the expecting mom!
Who should host and pay for a baby shower? ›
Most often, the host pays for the baby shower. This is not always one person. For example, several aunts and cousins might cover the full tab of a shower at a restaurant, or a group of coworkers may help coordinate all the decorations, food and fun.
Who hosts a baby shower traditionally? ›
Who plans and hosts a baby shower? According to tradition, baby showers are typically hosted by a friend or distant relative (like a cousin or an aunt) instead of an immediate family member. This custom is believed to have developed to avoid the appearance that the family was simply on a mission to collect gifts.
Who should not host a baby shower? ›
Any member of the immediate family (especially the mother) should NOT host a baby shower before the baby is born. This old-school secret code is still relevant today because it appears audacious, as if the expectant mother just wants presents, which is self-serving by having her immediate family host the party for her.
Can the grandmother host a baby shower? ›
They feel that, along with close friends, cousins, and coworkers, it is now appropriate for anyone, grandparents-to-be included, to host a baby shower as long as there's a good reason.
Who is financially responsible for a baby shower? ›
The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host. This helps to reduce the overall expense and alleviates some of the financial obligation of hosting a baby shower.
Who is in charge of hosting a baby shower? ›
While parents-to-be can choose any close family members or friends to host the shower, this individual or group of people will typically be in charge of any and all planning leading up to the event and running things day-of to ease stress for the person of the hour.
Is the mother in law supposed to host a baby shower? ›
Who Hosts a Baby Shower? Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren't close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves.
HELEN'S ANSWER: It is awkward for a mother to host a baby shower for her daughter because gifts are involved. If you are an immediate family member having the party, it is like you are watching to see who gives what gift. It is much better for a close friend to have the party.
What is baby shower etiquette? ›
One of the most basic rules of etiquette is that offering unsolicited parenting advice is a general no-no but is especially unwelcome at a baby shower, it's a party, not a stress-fest. Even WebMD warns others against giving parenting or pregnancy advice before they are asked.
Can mom host her own baby shower? ›
Can I throw my own baby shower? Yes! Hosting your own shower is totally appropriate in the new world of party etiquette. If you feel funny about doing so, you can always plan the party but have the RSVP's go to your partner or parent, so that guests don't overtly see you're the one doing it.
Who is responsible for Organising a baby shower? ›
Ultimately, the host is responsible for taking care of everything, from setting the date to securing a location. All this means that the expecting parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy being celebrated. That said, if the parents-to-be wish to organise their own baby shower, then that's fine too.
Who is supposed to throw me a baby shower? ›
Tradition states that when it comes to throwing a baby shower, those who love you should do the honors. This person could be your best friend from college, a colleague from work, the next-door neighbor… or your sister, sister-in-law, mother, aunt, etc.
Do you ask someone to host your baby shower? ›
There are several ways hosting a baby shower can happen: you can specifically ask a close friend, family member (yes, we think the grandmother-to-be can host if she wants to) or a group to host, someone can throw a surprise shower for you or you can host it yourself.
Who should conduct baby shower? ›
Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend.
Does a mother throw a baby shower for her daughter? ›
HELEN'S ANSWER: It is awkward for a mother to host a baby shower for her daughter because gifts are involved. If you are an immediate family member having the party, it is like you are watching to see who gives what gift. It is much better for a close friend to have the party.
Should baby shower honor mom or baby? ›
Traditionally, the mother-to-be is the guest of honor at the baby shower. That said, if you're hosting a couples' shower, then you should list both parents as the guests of honor. A few ways you can designate the guest of honor in your invitation wording are…
Does the dad go to the baby shower? ›
While traditional baby showers consist of women only, co-ed baby showers are becoming more and more common. However, if you're looking to throw a traditional baby shower and still have the dad-to-be attend, this is completely acceptable and appropriate as most dad-to-be's will want to thank guests before they leave.
